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Crime Stoppers Stresses Safety During Seniors Month
For several years, Crime Stoppers programs across Ontario have been working to reach out to one of the province’s most vital resources – seniors. Because June has been named “Seniors Month” in Ontario and more specifically, June 15, 2008 is being recognized as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day,” Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg wants to highlight the “Seniors Crime Stoppers” program and stress that seniors’ safety is a very important issue for local communities.
Launched provincially in January 2006, “Seniors Crime Stoppers” is designed not only to educate seniors about the Crime Stoppers program, but it also encourages members of the public to call their local Crime Stoppers program with information on crimes committed against the elderly.
Chairperson of Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg Gord Little says, “Unfortunately, no segment of our society – including seniors - is exempt from becoming a potential victim of crime.” He adds, “Crime Stoppers continues to realize that seniors are a very vital resource in our communities and as such, we want to make sure they are aware of what Crime Stoppers can do for them and how they can help to make their neighborhoods safer.”
The program was originally started by Toronto Crime Stoppers several years ago in an attempt to make seniors aware of the program and to help raise awareness about seniors’ issues. In order for the program to be circulated province-wide, the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers (OACS) partnered with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services in 2006 to receive funding through the Ministry’s Safer Communities Grant program. An educational DVD was produced as a result of this partnership and circulated to all 38 programs in the province to help inform seniors about Crime Stoppers and topics such as fraud, elder abuse and neglect. This DVD continues to be used by programs today.
Little continues, “We know that seniors are the eyes and ears of their community and by paying attention to what is going on in their community and reporting incidents anonymously to Crime Stoppers, they are a very important part of keeping their communities safe. The senior population is one of the fastest growing populations in our country and we encourage anyone wanting to learn more about the program to contact our office through 1-800-222-TIPS.”
Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg is a community based organization which provides people with an anonymous, confidential way to relay information to investigators without ever having to get involved as a witness. The program’s toll free 1-800-222-TIPS line and online webtips (www.helpsolvecrime.com) are operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and cash rewards are offered for information that leads to an arrest or charge.
Since its inception in 1988, Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg has received over 6900 anonymous tips some of which have helped police to seize over $28.4 million worth of illegal narcotics, recover more than $3.8 million worth of stolen property and lay over 4300 charges. The program has paid out more than $193,000 worth of rewards. This year the program celebrates its 20th anniversary of fighting crime in our community.
Related information: Senior Fraud – Be Aware, Stay Safe!